Eriksson sticks to his guns for a shot at redemption

If a man as suave as Sven-Goran Eriksson can ever give a gesture of defiance, then it is to be found in his latest squad. After the previously unimaginable defeat by Nothern Ireland he has decided, in effect, that no one need be punished for the sins of Windsor Park. An entirely familiar line-up will deal with the last two World Cup qualifiers, against Austria and Poland at Old Trafford on October 8 and 12 respectively.

Rather than playing to the gallery, he has remained true to his deepest convictions, which prize loyalty and stability above all else. Even the very slighty adventurous comments emanating from his assistant Tord Grip might be classified now as disinformation. He had, for instance, talked appreciatively of the resurgence of the midfielder Danny Murphy at Charlton.

That elevation in reputation, though, has still not hauled him back into the party, despite the fact that other midfielders such as Michael Carrick and Kieron Dyer are injured. There was also a widespread belief that Emile Heskey, who has not featured on the field for England since the Euro 2004 defeat by France, could partner Michael Owen against Austria, when Wayne Rooney will be suspended.

Eriksson himself duly went to Birmingham City's match at Arsenal yesterday but came away convinced merely that Sol Campbell is fit and ready to return to the squad. A slip and weak shot by Heskey in the 1-0 defeat at Highbury might have deterred the Swede from rehabilitating him but it is more probable that he has simply chosen to stand by the players who had never lost a qualification fixture under him before Belfast.

It does seem, though, that the manager plans to use a target man against the Austrians. Peter Crouch, whom he took on the summer tour to the United States, was named now that he is fit, even though he has yet to score for Liverpool. The inclusion of Alan Smith provides another candidate for that role, unless Eriksson has surprisingly agreed with the Manchester United theory that he can be re-engineered as a midfielder.

The manager has not allowed current factors at club level to sway him either. Shaun Wright-Phillips did not even make the bench in Chelsea's 4-1 victory at Liverpool yesterday but his berth in the squad does not seem at risk yet. The game at Anfield will have appealed to Eriksson because Joe Cole did start and score. The incumbent, therefore, might be able to retain his post on the left of midfield.

England are believed to be going back to basics with a 4-4-2 system to be employed for the qualifiers. It may be the defence, however, that leaves him with the most sensitive question. Rio Ferdinand's sloppiness in playing David Healy onside cost England the match in Belfast. The manager will have to decide how far loyalty should go. For the moment the Manchester United centre-back will be punished for a bad performance at least with the fear that Campbell could snatch his place.

For World Cup qualifiers v Austria (Oct 8, at Old Trafford) and v Poland (Oct 12, at Old Trafford):